Your entitlements & taking leave
| Topic | Standard employee | Shift worker (if definition met) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks per year | 4 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Accrual | Progressive based on ordinary hours; can be taken as it accrues | Progressive |
| Part‑time | Accrues pro‑rata according to ordinary hours | |
| Rollover | Generally carries over year to year (no NES cap) | |
| Leave loading | Only if provided by award/EA/contract (often 17.5%; may interact with penalties) | |
Accrual examples
- Full‑time (38 hrs/wk): 4 weeks × 38 = 152 hours per year (5 weeks for eligible shift workers = 190 hours).
- Part‑time (20 hrs/wk): 4 weeks × 20 = 80 hours per year.
Note: Accrual generally continues during paid leave (e.g., annual leave, paid personal leave). It typically does not accrue during periods of unpaid leave (subject to any specific instrument rules).
Requesting leave
- Check your policy/award/EA for notice, evidence and application steps.
- Submit your request with proposed dates and any relevant context (e.g., peak periods, coverage).
- Your employer must not unreasonably refuse a request. “Reasonableness” depends on the circumstances (e.g., genuine inability to cover essential work, health/safety, prior approvals etc.).
Public holidays within annual leave
Public holidays falling during approved annual leave are not deducted from your leave balance.
Illness or caring during annual leave
If you’re ill or caring during approved annual leave and meet notice/evidence requirements, you can access paid personal/carer’s leave for the affected period so your annual leave is not deducted. Where personal leave is exhausted, you and your employer may agree to use annual leave to maintain income.